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What does a distribution coordinator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a distribution coordinator do

A distribution coordinator oversees and coordinates the distribution operations of a warehouse, ensuring products get to their destinations in a timely and accurate manner. They typically set guidelines and objectives, perform assessments and inspections, liaise with internal and external parties, and develop strategies to optimize operations. They also monitor and track shipments, resolve scheduling conflicts, and update vendors regularly. Moreover, as a distribution coordinator, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's standards and regulations.

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Distribution coordinator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real distribution coordinator resumes:

  • Manage inventory in efficient ways to promote lean initiatives and boost warehouse picking/shipping KPI's.
  • Manage distribution tracking, logistics, and coordinating for terminal operations and deliveries locate in Washington and California.
  • Prepare PowerPoint presentations for meetings as needed.
  • Maintain confidentiality as per HIPPA and facility regulations.
  • Confirm the members' transportation request information utilizing the HIPPA confidentiality policy.
  • Provide customer support for Medicaid eligible requests for non-emergency discharges, transportation requests and dispatch estimate time of arrivals.
  • Verify insurance benefits/Medicaid eligibility on refer patients.
  • Establish integrated purchasing and manufacturing plans using MRP and lean principles to reduce the manufacturing and inventory costs.
  • Run daily MRP, analyze open orders reports and perform root-cause analysis for orders that do not meet standard lead-time.
  • Source and purchase medical imaging components utilizing third party vendors versus OEM which result in overall cost savings to the company.
  • Enter meter readings for the sweepers that are ran through all the shifts, on a monthly spreadsheet.
  • Receive and distribute CMS memos to appropriate personnel.
  • Complete international product education at OEM manufacturers.
  • Visit nursing facilities to obtain medical records to qualify residents for Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
  • Verify insurance benefits/Medicaid eligibility on refer patients.

Distribution coordinator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 18% of Distribution Coordinators are proficient in Customer Service, Management System, and Shipping Receiving. They’re also known for soft skills such as Organizational skills, Writing skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Distribution Coordinators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 18%

    Performed customer service functions by email from home computer for a worldwide humanitarian organization as volunteer work with partial compensation pay.

  • Management System, 7%

    Warehouse Management System Coordinator/Warehouse Supervisor, Special Projects - Oversaw the daily performance of computer systems.

  • Shipping Receiving, 6%

    Assured that shipping receiving counts matched, purchase order documents and assisted in resolving any discrepancies.

  • Purchase Orders, 6%

    Prepared bids and obtained purchase orders from customers to ensure effective invoicing/payment for all transactions.

  • On-Time Delivery, 6%

    Coordinated shipping logistics and monitored shipments to ensure on-time delivery.

  • Logistics, 6%

    Managed distribution tracking, logistics, and coordinating for terminal operations and deliveries located in Washington and California.

Most distribution coordinators use their skills in "customer service," "management system," and "shipping receiving" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential distribution coordinator responsibilities here:

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of distribution coordinators is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday distribution coordinator duties, as "production, planning, and expediting clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, and production managers and need to communicate the firm’s scheduling needs effectively." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "maintained close communication with our forwarders both in brazil and china to insure quality of product. "

Detail oriented. A big part of what distribution coordinators do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to distribution coordinator responsibilities because "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical distribution coordinator tasks: "processed and distributed 800-1000 films to theaters on a bi-monthly basis providing client with detailed information on film logistics status. "

Customer-service skills. A commonly-found skill in distribution coordinator job descriptions, "customer-service skills" is essential to what distribution coordinators do. Distribution coordinator responsibilities rely on this skill because "stock clerks sometimes interact with customers in retail stores and may have to get the item the customer is looking for from the storeroom." You can also see how distribution coordinator duties rely on customer-service skills in this resume example: "processed orders for customersduties included data entry, filing, and answering phone calls"

Math skills. While "math skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to distribution coordinator responsibilities. Much of what a distribution coordinator does relies on this skill, seeing as "some material recording clerks use math to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of distribution coordinators: "increased on-time delivery by analyzing transit and route statistics. "

See the full list of distribution coordinator skills

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Compare different distribution coordinators

Distribution coordinator vs. Logistics internship

In a logistics internship, an intern's duties depend on the directives of a supervising staff or manager. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around processing documentation, producing progress reports, maintaining records, updating databases, answering calls and correspondence, disseminating information, and running errands. They may also participate in coordinating deliveries, devise strategies to optimize processes according to schedules, liaise with clients, and participate in preparing presentations. Should there be any problems or concerns, it is essential to report to the manager right away.

If we compare the average distribution coordinator annual salary with that of a logistics internship, we find that logistics interns typically earn a $851 higher salary than distribution coordinators make annually.Even though distribution coordinators and logistics interns are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require management system, purchase orders, and inventory control in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a distribution coordinator are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "shipping receiving," "on-time delivery," and "logistics." On the other hand, a job as a logistics internship requires skills like "supply chain," "logistics intern," "chain management," and "process improvement." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

On average, logistics interns reach similar levels of education than distribution coordinators. Logistics interns are 4.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Distribution coordinator vs. Shipping and receiving coordinator

A Shipping and Receiving Coordinator oversees the shipment and deliveries of products in a warehouse or organization. One must have an efficient organization, and communication skills as most of the duties include shipping and receiving merchandise and maintain accurate and proactive control of inventory. Additionally, a Shipping and Receiving Coordinator can have different tasks such as loading and unloading products, stacking up shelves and keeping it up to the standards of company policies, inspect the merchandise, and communicate with customers.

On average, shipping and receiving coordinators earn a $4,784 lower salary than distribution coordinators a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Distribution coordinators and shipping and receiving coordinators both require similar skills like "shipping receiving," "purchase orders," and "logistics" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that distribution coordinator responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "management system," "on-time delivery," and "data entry." But a shipping and receiving coordinator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "pallets," "load trucks," "part numbers," and "electric pallet jack."

Shipping and receiving coordinators may earn a lower salary than distribution coordinators, but shipping and receiving coordinators earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $34,535. On the other hand, distribution coordinators receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $44,474.shipping and receiving coordinators earn lower levels of education than distribution coordinators in general. They're 5.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Distribution coordinator vs. Inventory control coordinator

An inventory control coordinator is responsible for monitoring the adequacy of office inventory to ensure that the company has enough supplies to support the employees' needs for business operations. Inventory control coordinators manage supply chain systems, conduct inventory checks regularly, write inventory reports, create purchase requests, and file inventory documents on the database. They must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in analyzing the chain processes, and strictly adhere to the company's internal guidelines and regulations.

An average inventory control coordinator eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of distribution coordinators. The difference in salaries amounts to inventory control coordinators earning a $407 lower average salary than distribution coordinators.distribution coordinators and inventory control coordinators both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "management system," and "shipping receiving," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a distribution coordinator is likely to be skilled in "on-time delivery," "warehouse functions," "coordinators," and "inventory control," while a typical inventory control coordinator is skilled in "inventory control procedures," "pallets," "production schedules," and "math."

Inventory control coordinators earn the highest salary when working in the transportation industry, where they receive an average salary of $38,327. Comparatively, distribution coordinators have the highest earning potential in the energy industry, with an average salary of $44,474.When it comes to education, inventory control coordinators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to distribution coordinators. In fact, they're 2.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Distribution coordinator vs. Warehouse coordinator

A warehouse coordinator is responsible for monitoring the supply and distribution operations of a warehouse, loading and unloading merchandise from the delivery trucks, and storing items appropriately on the facility. Warehouse coordinators assist in packing and labeling items, pulling out products from delivery, and ensuring the correct quantity and quality of the items before release. They also inspect the efficiency and performance of warehouse tools and equipment, especially on schedule for regular maintenance, and call for repairs as needed.

Warehouse coordinators typically earn lower pay than distribution coordinators. On average, warehouse coordinators earn a $3,071 lower salary per year.While both distribution coordinators and warehouse coordinators complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, management system, and shipping receiving, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "on-time delivery," "coordinators," "rma," and "distribution centers" are skills that commonly show up on distribution coordinator resumes. On the other hand, warehouse coordinators use skills like math, phone calls, safety regulations, and pallets on their resumes.warehouse coordinators enjoy the best pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $36,509. For comparison, distribution coordinators earn the highest salary in the energy industry.warehouse coordinators reach similar levels of education compared to distribution coordinators, in general. The difference is that they're 3.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of distribution coordinator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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